The internationally revered Underworld pay tribute to their art-school roots on their new compilation album, “Athens”. The first in a series, this rich musical mix is packed with rare grooves and cult gems from the outer limits of dance music, jazz-rock, fusion and progressive pop. The album is credited to Underworld vs The Misterons, a collective alter ego which includes the group’s core members Karl Hyde and Rick Smith, their regular studio and live collaborator Darren Price, plus creative mastermind Steven Hall.
United more by spirit than sound, the tracks on “Athens” offer a musical journey from inner space to the dancefloor, and back again. From the immersive, cosmic tone poems of Alice Coltrane’s ‘Journey In Satchidananda’ to the seductive, snaking groove of ‘Space Odyssey’ by techno titan Carl Craig’s orchestral jazz offshoot Detroit Experiment. From the mystical psychedelic blues of Mahavishnu Orchestra’s ‘You Know, You Know’ to the spicy Afro-funk of Laurent Garnier’s ‘Gnaumankoudji’. And from the avant-garde mellowness of Squarepusher’s ‘Theme From Sprite’ to the bustling disco-funk crosstown traffic of ‘New York City’ by Miroslav Vitous. “Athens” is an irresistible sonic collage of pop and art, old and new, cult heroes and left-field classics. Welcome to the warm, soulful, experimental roots of the world’s greatest techno conceptualists. Take a ride on Underworld’s flipside.